British rule, the Loyalists and the War of 1812

Olena is fifty. She came from Ukraine and works at a bakery in Hamilton. On her break, a coworker says, you know, Canada beat the Americans in eighteen twelve. Another coworker shakes his head. No, nobody really won that war. Olena takes her citizenship test soon. She wants to know what the guide actually says.

So here's the question. How did Britain come to rule here, who were the Loyalists, and what did the War of eighteen twelve do for Canada? Remember, this is a free, independent course. It is not a government course.

The official study guide, Discover Canada, tells this story in its chapter called Canada's History. In seventeen fifty-nine, the British defeated the French at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, at Québec City. Both generals, Wolfe and Montcalm, were killed. This ended France's empire in America. In seventeen seventy-four, the Quebec Act gave Catholics religious freedom and let them hold public office.

Next came the Loyalists. Loyalists were people who stayed loyal to the British Crown when the American colonies declared independence in seventeen seventy-six. More than forty thousand of them came to Nova Scotia and Quebec. Joseph Brant led Mohawk Loyalists. About three thousand black Loyalists came too.

Democracy grew step by step. The first elected assembly was chosen in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in seventeen fifty-eight. Then the Constitutional Act of seventeen ninety-one split the Province of Quebec in two. Upper Canada later became Ontario. Lower Canada later became Quebec. Each one had an elected assembly. And the name Canada became official.

The guide also tells a story of freedom. In seventeen ninety-three, Upper Canada was the first province in the British Empire to move toward ending slavery. Its leader was Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe. In eighteen thirty-three, Britain ended slavery in the whole Empire. Thousands of people escaping slavery in the United States reached Canada by the Underground Railroad, a Christian network against slavery.

Then came war. In June eighteen twelve, the United States invaded. Sir Isaac Brock captured Detroit, and later died at Queenston Heights. Chief Tecumseh, a Shawnee leader, fought beside the British. In eighteen thirteen, Charles de Salaberry and four hundred and sixty soldiers turned back four thousand Americans at Châteauguay. Laura Secord walked about thirty kilometres to warn the British of an attack.

The Americans burned York, which is Toronto today. In eighteen fourteen, the British burned the White House. And here is the guide's main point. The war made sure that Canada stayed independent of the United States.

Let's make it stick. Hold up four fingers for four names from eighteen twelve. Brock, who took Detroit. Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief. De Salaberry, at Chateauguay. And Laura Secord, who walked to warn the British. Four fingers, four names, one result. Canada stayed independent.

Here's a common confusion. Upper Canada and Lower Canada. Many people guess that Upper Canada became Quebec. It didn't. Upper Canada later became Ontario. Lower Canada later became Quebec. Say it together. Upper, Ontario. Lower, Quebec.

The mistake people make is arguing about who won. The test follows the guide, and the guide's point is clear. The War of eighteen twelve kept Canada independent of the United States. That's the fact to know.

Here's the one thing to remember. The War of eighteen twelve kept Canada independent of the United States. And Upper Canada became Ontario, while Lower Canada became Quebec.

This week, read the Canada's History chapter from the Plains of Abraham to the War of eighteen twelve. Then say the four names on your fingers. Next time, responsible government, and the birth of Canada in eighteen sixty-seven.